Aviles leads the charge in Chasers win

Omaha, Neb. – The Storm Chasers turned the tables on New Orleans on Saturday, coming back to beat the Zephyrs 9-5 at Werner Park. Mike Aviles had a big night at the plate, belting three doubles and driving in four runs in the winning effort.

After starting and winning pitcher Sean O’Sullivan spotted New Orleans three quick runs in the top of the first inning, the Chasers began chipping away. Jarrod Dyson chopped a single over the mound leading off the bottom of the first, and one out later Aviles ripped an RBI double past a diving Joe Thurston in left, bringing home Dyson on the play. Aviles tied the game at 4-4 in the fifth on a two-run gap shot, and later drilled an RBI double to center to extend the lead to 9-4. The four runs batted in matched a season high for the 30-year-old shortstop.

O’Sullivan (2-1) settled down, finishing seven strong innings despite a triple-digit heat index. He allowed four runs on seven hits, walked three and struck out five in 105 pitches. He was particularly effective with his breaking pitches, consistently getting his curve ball over for strikes. O’Sullivan then gave way to Kevin Pucetas, who allowed a run in two innings of relief duty.

In addition to Aviles’ big night, several other Chasers chipped in offensively. Clint Robinson collected a pair of RBI singles, Johnny Giavotella reached three times and scored a pair of runs and David Lough ripped an RBI triple. Jarrod Dyson was his usual self, collecting a hit, drawing a walk, laying down a perfect sacrifice bunt, scoring twice and stealing his 22nd base of the season.

Omaha improved to 51-43 and expanded their lead in the PCL American North to two games over the Memphis Redbirds after Memphis fell at home against Round Rock, 3-2.

The Chasers and Zephyrs will conclude their series on Sunday afternoon at Werner Park, with first pitch scheduled for 2:05 p.m. Major League veterans Jeff Suppan (7-5, 4.65) and Chris Sampson (6-0, 2.53) will do battle on the mound. Suppan and Sampson have pitched in the same Major League game on three occasions, including a July 27, 2008 game in which Sampson earned a win for Houston and Suppan took the loss for Milwaukee. They have never opposed each other as starting pitchers.